Traffic-signal.



W. A. BMW. TRAFFIC SIGNAL. APPLICATION mm APR. I9. mums. RENEWED MAR. I5, 1919.

1,301,896. Patented Apr. 22, 1919 1 Elm,

WILLIAM A. DAU', OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN TRAFFIC-SIGNAL.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 191%..

Application filed April 19, 1916, Serial No. 92,132. Renewed March 15, 1919. Serial No. 282,963.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. DAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traffic-Signals, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic signals, and has for its object the provision of simple and efi'ective mechanism for shifting the signals to indicate the information desired to be imparted, for example, to the operators of automobiles or other vehicles at street crossings.

onveniently the; invention is incorporated in that type of signal now commonly known as the stop and go indicator in connection with which members are shifted to alternately present to view the words Stop and Go.

A convenient embodiment of the invention comprises suitable supporting means associated with a source of light enablin the signal to be employed both day an night, and electrically actuated parts for securing the presentation to view of the word or equivalent signal, as determined by the Operator.

The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a pivoted signaling member having angularly disposed wings or flaps, one bearing the appropriate information such as Stop, and the other the complemental information, such as Go, and means for moving the signaling member on its axis, preferably, though not necessarily comprising a magnetically actuated segment coupled by a multiplying chain of gearing with the pivot shaft of the said signaling member.

Details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from the specific description hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof and wherein the special embodiment of the invention to which I have alluded is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same through the pivoted signaling member,

Fig. 3 is an end view with the end wall removed to show the actuating parts, and,

Fig. "l' is a diagrammatic view illustrative each other,

of the electric circuit switch control and associated devices.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference letters designate corresponding parts inthe several views, A represents a casing, or box adapted to be supported by hooks or brackets a, upon a horizontal arm a of an upright or standard a supported in any suitable manner, not necessary to be illustrated herein, at a street crossing or the like. The manner of mounting the box or casing is capable of variation in many particulars and is not of the essence of the present invention. The front of the casing A is of transparent material, such as glass, indicated at B, and within the casing are a plurality of electric light bulbs C, receiving current from any convenient source, said lights being employed at night to illuminate the front of the casing, as is obvious. Midway between the upper and lower edges of the casing, and in advance of the transparent front B, I pivotally mount in suitable bearings (l, at the ends of the casing, a pivotpr rock shaft D, secured to a V or angularly shaped signaling member, having angularly related wings or flaps E and F of any opaque substance, having cut therethrough suitable letters to display the word or other signal to be imparted, the flap E,as shown, being cut out to fdrm the word Stop?, and the flap F being similarly cut out to display the word Go.

Conveniently the body of the flaps are of a dark material, such as sheet metal painted black, to severely contrast the same in appearance with the white of the glass showing through the cut-out or lettered portions during the day and permitting the light from the interior of the casing to shine through the transparent front B and the cut-out letters or other flaps at night.

The angular disposition of the two flaps and the rigid fastening of the same to the shaft D in fixed position with respect to causes" the flap which is not thrown to a position'parallel with the front of the casing to display'its appropriate sig nal. to occupy a horizontal position where its signal will not be displaced. in other words, when the flap E is presented in front of the upper portion of the transparent member B, theflap F isextended forwardly in a horizontal position. and when the flap F depends in front of the lower portion of the front 1),

A upon the supportthe flap E occupies such forwardly extending horizontal position.

To shift the signal member EF, I utilize intermeshing gearing G, said gearing conveniently including a simple pinion rigidly secured on the end of the shaft D, an intermediate somewhat larger pinion mounted upon a partition g in the casing A, and a still larger gear also mounted on said partition, the latter engaging atoothed segment H, pivoted at h, to swing to and fro under magnetic influence, as will now be pointed out, to transmit through the gearing G, an accelerated movement to the shaft D.

J represents a pair of alined magnets, spaced apart at their inner ends'and supported upon suit-able insulated supports j. The toothed segment H is mounted to 'occupy a central position with reference to the magnets J and to one side of the latter, the adjacent face of the segment being surfaced by suitable insulating material It. Projecting outwardly from the insulated face of the segment is a metal lug or flange K constituting an armature adapted to be directed alternately back and forth from one magnet to the other, depending upon the energization of the magnets, the attracting of the armature rocking the. toothed segment on its pivot 71,, it being understood that the armature is fixed to said segment.

A pivoted controlling switch L, adapted to alternately bridge spaced contacts M and N, dependent upon the position of the switch and which contacts are respectively Wired with one of the magnets J and in circuit with any convenient source of power, for instance a battery 0, enables the operator to angle to each energize the magnet as desired and correspondingly rock the segment and through the gearing shift the signaling member.

The wiring is diagrammatically illustrated in the last figure of the drawing wherein it is also indicated that an alarm, such as a bell P, also electrically connected to the battery 0, and controlled by a switch Q, may be utilized as occasion might require.

\Vhile I have herein illustrated one embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the same is capable of embodiment in other forms and devices, as may be in keeping with the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

In a traflic signal, the combination with a suitable supporting means, and operating mechanism mounted thereon, of an indicator pivotally mounted on the supporting means and operatively associated with the operating mechanism, said indicating means comprising fixedly related wings disposed at an other to constitute separate indicating members as for Go and Stop, the mounting of the indicator with reference to the supporting means being such that the respective indicating members in their indicating position occupy relatively difi'erent predetermined positions with reference to the supporting means.

In testimony whereof I. hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses WILLIAM A; Dan;

lVitnesses PERCY PETERS, J 0111: C. Sraummc. 

